FROEBEL AND THE KINDERGARTEN 227
school is coming to be conceived as an institution in
which to discover and work out individuality by means
of initiative and execution; and spontaneous activities,
like play, constructive work, and nature study, nave more
and more become the means to this end. The im-
portance of having all instruction lead to activity as
directly as possible is now appreciated, and education
has been given a social, moral, and practical meaning
throughout the learning process. Thus the implications
of FroebeFs system are apparent in all modern educa-
tional theory and practice.
The Spread of Froebelianism through Europe
Froebelianism and the kindergarten, then., contained
principles that were destined to spread by virtue of their
educational value. But their dissemination was greatly
facilitated after the death of Froebel by the reformer's
devoted followers. FroebeFs widow, Middendorf, and
the Baroness von Bulow especially became the heirs of
his spiritual possessions, and proceeded at once to make
the heritage productive. Middendorf did not long sur-
vive the master, and Frau FroebeFs part in the wide
evangelization was somewhat limited by her education.
It remained for the intellectual and cultured noble-
woman, by means of her social position and knowledge ferŪ spread
' J r by the Baron-
of modem languages, to become the great apostle of ess von BU-
low through-
Froebel throughout Europe. Shortly after his death, out Europe,-